2014 Press Releases

NBAA Mourns the Passing of NASAO CEO Henry Ogrodzinski

Washington, DC, Jan. 23, 2014 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today paid tribute to the life and many contributions to the aviation community made by Henry M. Ogrodzinski, president and chief executive officer of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), whose passing was announced earlier today.

A long-time champion for general aviation (GA), Ogrodzinski had led NASAO and its non-profit foundation since 1996. He previously held a number of other senior management posts at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Gulfstream Aerospace and the United States Air and Trade Show. He had also served on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Aviation Across America since its inception in 2007.

“For decades, Henry ‘O.’ has been a constant, strong and effective advocate for general aviation,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “His many contributions to the industry have come through his service in some of our community’s most respected organizations. Henry was one of our industry’s great statesmen, and his passion for general aviation was infectious. We will miss him greatly.”

Ogrodzinski was an early supporter of the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, which is jointly sponsored by NBAA and GAMA. He also stood with other GA leaders on a range of important policy issues, including opposition to aviation user fees and, most recently, efforts to secure full congressional funding for contract air traffic control towers.

During his long career, Ogrodzinski also served on the board of nominations of the National Aviation Hall of Fame, was a member of the National Aeronautic Association’s board of directors and served on that organization’s Collier Trophy and Brewer Trophy selection committees. He was president of the Aero Club of Washington in 2004.

Ogrodzinski was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and a U.S. Army veteran.

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 10,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

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